Entries by melina

Computational drug discovery for the Zika virus

In this paper the OpenZika team summarize current computational drug discovery efforts and their applicability to discovery of anti-ZIKV drugs. Lastly,  successful examples of the use of computational approaches to ZIKV drug discovery are presented. Learn more

Zika Might Cause Brain Damage In Adults, Too

Although most risk associated with Zika so far has focused on infants, it turns out that adults might not be in the clear. Researchers from Rockefeller University and the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology say there’s evidence that Zika could inflict our brain’s stem cells, even as adults. Read more Although ZIKV is […]

Outbreak of Zika in India, 2018

India has recorded its biggest outbreak of Zika virus to date (October 12th), with 32 cases confirmed in Jaipur, capital of the western state of Rajasthan. The number of suspected cases cannot be estimated, said Veenu Gupta, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health & Family Welfare Department for the state, adding that […]

The A-Z of Zika drug discovery

A comprehensive A-Z review of the recent advances in ZIKV drug discovery efforts is presented, highlighting drug repositioning and computationally guided compounds, including discovered viral and host cell inhibitors. Promising ZIKV molecular targets are also described and discussed, as well as targets belonging to the host cell, as new opportunities for ZIKV drug discovery. All […]

A single mutation in the prM protein of Zika virus contributes to fetal microcephaly

Phylogenetic analysis reveals that contemporary epidemic strains have accumulated multiple substitutions from their Asian ancestor. Here, we show that a single serine to asparagine substitution (S139N) in the viral polyprotein substantially increased ZIKV infectivity in both human and mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs), led to more significant microcephaly in the mouse fetus, and higher mortality […]

Zika virus replication in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in Brazil

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that has recently been associated with an increased incidence of neonatal microcephaly and other neurological disorders. The virus is primarily transmitted by mosquito bite, although other routes of infection have been implicated in some cases. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is considered to be the main vector to humans worldwide; […]

UFG descobre novos compostos que podem ajudar a tratar pessoas com zika

A Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) descobriu novos compostos que podem ajudar no tratamento de pessoas com o vírus da zika. Ao todo, nove substâncias foram selecionadas para testes em células infectadas, que serão feitos em uma universidade dos Estados Unidos. O objetivo é desenvolver medicamentos para combater a doença. Leia mais

UFG descobre novos possíveis compostos contra o vírus Zika

Em maio de 2016, a Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), em parceria com a World Community Grid (WCG), da International Business Machines (IBM), iniciou o projeto OpenZika, que visa identificar substâncias com potencial para tratar pessoas infectadas pelo vírus Zika. De uma lista inicial de aproximadamente 7.600 compostos, dentre eles fármacos já aprovados para uso […]